The online world is once again rocked as an intimate video purportedly featuring Pakistani TikTok sensation Zarnab Shastri has gone viral, putting social media in a flutter and sparking controversies surrounding digital privacy, AI abuse, and cyber morality.

The leaked explicit video, which emerged in April 2025, spread like wildfire across Twitter (X), TikTok, and Instagram—prompting a surge in searches for "Zarnab Shastri viral video".

Though the video's authenticity has yet to be confirmed, its quick spread has caused much concern. Most netizens have criticised the leak as a gross infringement of privacy and have called on authorities to take firm action against the perpetrators. Others have attempted to guess the origin of the video, with some even speculating that it could be an AI-created hoax in an attempt to ruin her reputation.

This is not an isolated incident. It resonates with other controversies surrounding other Pakistani TikTok influencers such as Minahil Malik, Samiya Hijab, and Sajal Malik, all of whom fell prey to claimed privacy invasions. These ongoing scandals have raised new concerns over the safety and dignity of social media influencers—particularly women—on the internet.

Public opinion is still split. While some have labelled it a publicity stunt, most are demanding justice and calling for cybercrime laws to be enforced more rigorously in Pakistan. Zarnab Shastri hasn't made an official statement or filed a lawsuit yet.

Activists and digital rights organisations are again calling on the government to bolster legal safeguards and enhance the response mechanism for online harassment and non-consensual content.